Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Irene Hannon is back again with another great start to a brand-new series! "Dangerous Illusions" jumps right into the action with introducing characters, but leaving the reader with so many unanswered questions and trying to fill in the gaps and figure out the relationships between the characters. Trish is overwhelmed with balancing everything in her life; however she knows that she did not screw up on her mother's medication causing her death even though Matt is suggesting that. As Colin immerses himself into this case as the detective assigned he feels like there is so much more than what meets the eye, but it is still out of reach. However, this is not something that he can really spend a lot of time on to uncover the truth as the stakes are deadly.
This is fast-paced story filled with twists and turns and characters' lives that are intertwined. I found myself thinking I had some answers to be proven wrong in the next few pages, and feeling like I was no where closer to the truth than I was at the beginning. Irene's writing is also so great as she writes with such detail that the story and characters are brought to life and the story is a nice mix of romance and heart-pounding suspense. I am looking forward to book #2 in the Code of Honor series!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Review Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

I loved this debut from Joanna Davidson Politano! Aurelie has grown up a very different life from what she finds herself living after the passing of her father. Her father has written books under a pen name and Aurelie decides to complete the writing of his last book; however she must rely on the help of a houseguest. Aurelie wants to find out the truth about her mother and also what took place at the estate around that time and the time of her birth.
Aurelie is a great main character, I loved how she is portrayed and her character overall. This is a great story that really brings to life the time period and society at this time in England and the way of life. This is such a nice blend of historical details as far as the setting, the suspenseful story, the characters and the romance. I highly recommend this book for historical fiction fans!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

Some stories are evergreen, their themes and lessons standing the test of time and connecting with readers generation after generation. Reconnect with Catherine Marshall's beloved Christy as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new edition! As nineteen-year-old teacher Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home of Cutter Gap, some see her-and her one-room school-as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove. Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

Celebrate the new 50th anniversary edition of Christy by entering to win one of TWO $50 Visa cash cards (details below) and by attending a Facebook Live party on December 5!

TWO grand prize winners will receive:

One copy of Christy

One $50 Visa Cash Card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5. The winner will be announced at the Christy Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with authors who've been impacted by Christy and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway and Facebook Live party via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!

Book info

About the book:

New edition of Catherine Marshall's inspirational classic!

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her - and her one-room school - as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), The New York Times best-selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel Christy. Based on the life of her mother, Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series. Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders. Catherine shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate, in A Man Called Peter. A decade after Dr. Marshall's untimely death, Catherine married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of Guideposts, forging a dynamic writer-editor partnership. A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine's enduring career spanned four decades and reached over 30 million readers.

It was so nice to reread "Christy" once again! I read this as a teenager and absolutely loved the story and this led me to start reading Janette Oke books and now I still think about the book while watching the series, "When Calls the Heart." This new edition is a nice hardcover edition with Catherine's mother pictured on the front, which I absolutely love, as the book "Christy" is based on the life of her mother and the stories that Catherine would hear growing up of her mother's experiences. "Christy" is such a refreshing and inspiring story about leaving your comfort zone and following your heart and following your passion and facing challenges while relying on God. This is a wonderful classic and one can be enjoyed year after year and by generation after generation; I am looking forward to my daughter reading this book in a few years!

Monday, November 27, 2017

"Vanishing Point" by Lisa Harris is a must-read for those whom have read her Nikki Boyd novels as this ties up some loose ends and provides some closure as well as giving some more background information in regards to the disappearance of Nikki's sister. Of course, there is so much more to the story than this and I loved reading about Garrett and Jordan, whom were previously a couple and now find themselves working together. There is already tension between them and now so much more as another girl is found dead and they find themselves racing to find the killer before more are killed. The novel is fast-paced and the writing style is so easy to get lost in the story and the twists and turn and romance sprinkled in as well. I highly recommend this book for romantic suspense fans!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*

I absolutely loved this book! This is my first book by Bethany, but it will for sure not be the last! Sarah has been content with her life and her occupation of writing novels, novels that are quite steamy. However, since becoming a Christian and really trying to live a God-pleasing life and she is struggling with how she can fulfil her work obligation and live her life how she should. This is such a fun and well-written book that all readers will be able to relate to as it is so real-life and the characters are all so real and relatable and their struggles. The story flows nicely and is a sweet romance and really is written from the heart. I highly recommend this book as it is an enjoyable read that will have you laughing and not wanting the story to end.

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Friday, November 24, 2017

Often adults are stumped, but Jared Kennedy's focus on the promises of God makes the gospel come alive to the littlest hearts. Through fifty-two Old and New Testament stories, The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible highlights God's perfect promises. Every page pops with bright colors, playful illustrations, fun learning opportunities, and, best of all each story points children to Jesus.

Kids know the value of a promise. Through the gospel, our good and all-powerful God keeps his word and fulfills his promises to us better than we could have ever thought or imagined!

In The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible, author Jared Kennedy traces God's perfect promises through fifty-two Old and New Testament stories, retold in simple and compelling ways with toddlers and preschoolers in mind. Each gospel-centered story highlights God's tale of redemption through Jesus and the unexpected and surprising ways that God's grace and mercy are revealed throughout the Bible. Children will hear the good news of God's love for them clearly expressed in ways that will speak to their young hearts. Brightly colored illustrations highlight the stories and add fun teaching elements of counting, opposites, patterns, and object recognition to keep even the youngest child's attention. Every story also ends with a question that parents and caregivers can use to further reinforce the message.

Through reading this book one chapter at a time to your children-or letting them read it to you!-even the youngest kids will come to know that God's promises are especially for them, and that God always keeps his promises.

Jared Kennedy, MDiv, ThM, is the husband to Megan and the father of three girls-Rachael, Lucy, and Elisabeth. He serves as Pastor of Families at Sojourn Community Church-Midtown in Louisville, KY and as children's ministry strategist for Sojourn Network. He blogs regularly at gospelcenteredfamily.com and is also the coauthor of "Leadership Mosaic" and two VBS programs, "Proof Pirates" and "Clap Your Hands," "Stomp Your Feet."

This is such a wonderful Bible for children! There are 52 stories or promises that God has made shared in this book. Each one is illustrated and shared through simple text as well as questions to ask and the scripture reference as to where each is found. This book is seriously the cutest and the best for young children. The illustrations are so bright and just cheerful, filled with detail and so cute that children will love to look at and point out details. My favorite feature is the questions as this makes it so interactive for the children and to really teach the truths at even a very young age. My older children even enjoyed paging through this book and exclaiming over the pictures and making comments about various stories they have learned and how this reminded them of certain details. I highly recommend this for young children; it would make an excellent gift for the little ones on your Christmas gift list this year!

How could our world be different if Christians were recognized for not only speaking the truth, but also demonstrating mercy?

What would our lives be like if we reacted to our common culture with not just biblical facts, but also grace and compassion?

For more than 25 years, Marvin Olasky has offered this kind of viewpoint in his columns as the Editor-in-Chief of World Magazine, the leading news magazine written with a Christian perspective. In this collection of far-ranging columns, Olasky's commentary on world events and affairs, as well as his own personal interactions, encourages readers to respond with both grace and truth in every encounter.

A leading voice for standing for biblical truth in the public square, Olasky also believes Christians should incorporate the biblical virtues of humility, kindness, and mercy in all of life. His call for biblical values to include both truth and mercy makes his voice stand out in a world that often falsely divides those goals and settles for a poor imitation of the robust Christianity described in Scripture. These short and punchy columns offer readers a new way to consider challenges in today's world and shows them how to respond to any encounter biblically, but not hysterically, providing a wake-up call for the complacent, while also calming the frantic.

Marvin Olasky is editor-in-chief of "World News Group," a distinguished chair in journalism and public policy at Patrick Henry College, and the author of more than twenty books, including "Compassionate Conservatism" and "The Tragedy of American Compassion." He and his wife, Susan, have four sons and five grandchildren.

"World View" is a book filled with so much information and wisdom to help guide us in living in today's society. The lines can be blurry as far as living in the world, but not becoming a part of the world and living out our beliefs and to God's standards. There are so many topics covered in this book, and each one is addressed in only a few pages, so the information is concise and a quick go-to when you need a little guidance on something specific. Some of the topics addressed are: political parties, marriage, education and immigration. Olasky does a good job with addresses the issues and sharing Godly wisdom. With the layout of the book, it is so easy to find information that you are needing/looking for right at the moment, making this a great resource to have and refer to when needed. This is a great read for Christians with how society is at this time, as it is can be overwhelming, confusing and just at times difficult to live how you believe you should be.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

A special Christmas story about love and blessings in the next book in the Amish of Hart County series

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous "accidents" that someone wants them gone.

Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it's not the Schwartz family's fault, but he can't help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can't stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.

Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna's father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She's fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt . . . or worse.

Shelley Shepard Gray is a "New York Times" and "USA Today" bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

What a great story to read to get me in the mood for Christmas decorating and the Christmas season! I love the cover of this book, it is beautiful and I could also picture being on the farm and in Hart County while reading. Shelley has once again done a great job with setting the scene, creating characters that are easy to love and connect with and a nice mix of suspense and romance. The book starts out with a bang, literally, and I was immediately drawn into the story. Susanna is so easy to connect with, I loved her as a character and Neil is such a good, strong character as well. Their interactions and watching their relationship grow in the midst of turmoil and tension was well-written and I love how the story develops and the storyline is drawn out. This is quick read that is perfect for the season.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

There are many different kinds of legacies we can leave, but sharing yourself and your faith with the next generation will always stand the test of time. Through showing himself and his wisdom in the book of Proverbs, God has also left his legacy with us and relies on us to share it with our children and grandchildren. But before we can share that wisdom, first we must grow in our own understanding and knowledge and record, reflect, and consider what we have learned.

Pass it On provides readers with an opportunity to create a legacy of wisdom and faith and to share it with their children and grandchildren. As readers are guided through the book of Proverbs, they are asked to create their own personalized, wisdom journal with the aim of giving it to someone they love. Through careful study, answering questions, writing out prayers, and sharing personal stories, readers can create a lasting keepsake for themselves and for their families and friends.

Created by Champ Thornton, best-selling author ofThe Radical Book for Kids, Pass It On is an innovative resource to strengthen families and help them grow in their love for God and each other. This is a perfect gift for an older and wiser friend or relative, so they can share themselves and what they have learned about God with the next generation.

The fresh and careful translation provided comes from Dr. Bruce Waltke, who, now in his eighties, has devoted his life to a humble and Christ-focused study of God s Word, and especially the book of Proverbs. His two-volume work on Proverbs is considered by many as the premier commentary in the English language. As you study the translation of individual chapters, add your own comments in the margins. And feel free to circle, underline, and connect key words or phrases as you see them in the chapter for the day.

Champ Thornton, MDiv, is associate pastor at Ogletown Baptist Church in Delaware. He has pastored in South Carolina and served as director of SOMA, a ministry training school in Columbus, OH. He is also the author of "The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith," "God's Love: A Bible Storybook," and Bible curriculum for early and upper elementary-aged children. Champ and his wife, Robben, have been married since 1996 and have three children.

This is such a great book, absolutely love it and see it making the perfect gift for so many! "Pass It On" is a leather bound edition that really does look like a journal and I love this style for this as it is so much more than a book or a devotional book for that matter. It is a book to read and grow closer to God and with others through studying and reflecting on the book of Proverbs, but then your thoughts can be shared and passed on to others, your children, grandchildren, a friend, anyone really. That is why I love the style as it is so much more than a book, it is an keepsake. There is ample space to write on the lines provided in this and also in the margins on the pages. Each chapter in this book focuses on each chapter of Proverbs. The text for each chapter is printed at the start of the chapter, making it so accessible and right there; although honestly I will probably rewrite some of my notes and thoughts from this into my Bible to have there while reading. I love this book, it is a great format and a wonderful keepsake.

But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty do all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.

While Press keeps asking questions, Mara's research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend's name.

But can Press and Mara's stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger...?

With a PhD in English literature (Renaissance), Donn Taylor taught literature for 18 years at two liberal arts colleges. Now retired, he has published suspense novels, mysteries, and poetry. His historical novel Lightning on a Quiet Night was a finalist for the 2015 Selah Awards. He is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences. In a prior incarnation, he led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. He now lives in the woods near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.

"Murder in Disguise" is the third book in Donn Taylor's Preston Barclay series and it is another great story! Professor Barclay finds himself in the midst of an issue once again when the department chair at the university is found dead and it is determined to be a suicide. However, this does not sit well with Barclay as there are too many questions and too many things that would lead him to believe that he could never have done this. As he questions and looks into this, along with help, he finds himself in increasing danger himself and on the outs with other individuals. Donn Taylor has a great style of writing as it is easy to get drawn into the story, the mystery of it, but also the romance that is sprinkled in as well. I really enjoyed this addition to the Preston Barclay series and look forward to what may be written next!

About Me

I have been married for 8 years and we have a 4 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son whom are both full of energy and fun! I work as a social worker with at-risk children and their families. I enjoy reading and reviewing books as a way to "unwind" and relax.